I have a soft spot for pieces that don’t have to shout.
No bright turquoise.
No coral.
No inlay.
Just silver…and a stone so black it almost swallows the light.
Richard Yazza could have surrounded this pendant with color, but he didn’t. Instead, he trusted the sculpture. The heavy repoussé silver rolls and hand-forged details wrap around the polished black onyx like weathered sandstone surrounding the entrance to a canyon. It feels ancient. Quiet. Confident.
That’s the thing about black onyx—it demands restraint. If the silver isn’t good enough, the stone exposes it immediately. Here, the opposite happens. The deep, mirror-like black becomes a stage for Richard’s craftsmanship. Every hand-forged curve, every stamped accent, and every softly oxidized recess becomes more dramatic because there’s nothing distracting your eye.
At 68 grams and nearly 4 inches tall, this is not a pendant you accidentally wear. It’s sculpture. The oversized handmade bail, bold asymmetrical silhouette, and substantial weight give it the presence of a small shield—something that feels discovered rather than manufactured.
Collectors naturally gravitate toward Richard Yazza’s turquoise work, but pieces like this reveal another side of his artistry. By stripping away vibrant color, he allows the architecture of the silver to become the subject. Those are often the pieces seasoned collectors appreciate most, because they showcase the artist rather than the material.
Sometimes the loudest piece in the room…
is the quiet one.
Artifact Registry
Artifact Name: Midnight Mesa
Maker: Richard Yazza
Tribe/Origin: Navajo
Era: Contemporary
Materials: Sterling Silver, Black Onyx
Weight: 68 grams
Measurements: Approximately 4 inches tall
Construction: Hand-fabricated sterling silver pendant featuring repoussé silverwork, hand stamping, oxidized finish, oversized handcrafted bail, and a large polished black onyx cabochon.
Condition: Excellent.
Collector’s Gallery Value: $2,600–3,200
Estimated value for an equivalent work offered through a premier gallery or specialist Native American art dealer.
Field Observation
This pendant showcases Richard Yazza’s sculptural approach to silverwork, using a single substantial black onyx cabochon to emphasize form over color. The bold repoussé elements, asymmetrical composition, and generous scale create a piece that feels architectural as much as ornamental. While Yazza is widely recognized for his turquoise and nature-inspired works, monochromatic statement pieces such as this appear far less frequently and highlight the strength of his silversmithing independent of gemstone rarity.
Eric’s Notes from the Field
I love turquoise as much as the next guy—probably more—but every once in a while it’s refreshing to let the silver do the talking.
This pendant reminds me that a great artist doesn’t rely on flashy materials. Give them one beautiful stone and a sheet of silver, and they’ll make something unforgettable.
There’s something almost ceremonial about this one. It feels like an object with a history, even though it was made in our lifetime.
That’s my favorite kind of jewelry.
Black Onyx
Midnight Mesa Pendant by Richard Yazza
Sterling Silver
Native-Made & Handcrafted with Care
Have a burning question? Please feel free to contact us
I have a soft spot for pieces that don’t have to shout.
No bright turquoise.
No coral.
No inlay.
Just silver…and a stone so black it almost swallows the light.
Richard Yazza could have surrounded this pendant with color, but he didn’t. Instead, he trusted the sculpture. The heavy repoussé silver rolls and hand-forged details wrap around the polished black onyx like weathered sandstone surrounding the entrance to a canyon. It feels ancient. Quiet. Confident.
That’s the thing about black onyx—it demands restraint. If the silver isn’t good enough, the stone exposes it immediately. Here, the opposite happens. The deep, mirror-like black becomes a stage for Richard’s craftsmanship. Every hand-forged curve, every stamped accent, and every softly oxidized recess becomes more dramatic because there’s nothing distracting your eye.
At 68 grams and nearly 4 inches tall, this is not a pendant you accidentally wear. It’s sculpture. The oversized handmade bail, bold asymmetrical silhouette, and substantial weight give it the presence of a small shield—something that feels discovered rather than manufactured.
Collectors naturally gravitate toward Richard Yazza’s turquoise work, but pieces like this reveal another side of his artistry. By stripping away vibrant color, he allows the architecture of the silver to become the subject. Those are often the pieces seasoned collectors appreciate most, because they showcase the artist rather than the material.
Sometimes the loudest piece in the room…
is the quiet one.
Artifact Registry
Artifact Name: Midnight Mesa
Maker: Richard Yazza
Tribe/Origin: Navajo
Era: Contemporary
Materials: Sterling Silver, Black Onyx
Weight: 68 grams
Measurements: Approximately 4 inches tall
Construction: Hand-fabricated sterling silver pendant featuring repoussé silverwork, hand stamping, oxidized finish, oversized handcrafted bail, and a large polished black onyx cabochon.
Condition: Excellent.
Collector’s Gallery Value: $2,600–3,200
Estimated value for an equivalent work offered through a premier gallery or specialist Native American art dealer.
Field Observation
This pendant showcases Richard Yazza’s sculptural approach to silverwork, using a single substantial black onyx cabochon to emphasize form over color. The bold repoussé elements, asymmetrical composition, and generous scale create a piece that feels architectural as much as ornamental. While Yazza is widely recognized for his turquoise and nature-inspired works, monochromatic statement pieces such as this appear far less frequently and highlight the strength of his silversmithing independent of gemstone rarity.
Eric’s Notes from the Field
I love turquoise as much as the next guy—probably more—but every once in a while it’s refreshing to let the silver do the talking.
This pendant reminds me that a great artist doesn’t rely on flashy materials. Give them one beautiful stone and a sheet of silver, and they’ll make something unforgettable.
There’s something almost ceremonial about this one. It feels like an object with a history, even though it was made in our lifetime.
That’s my favorite kind of jewelry.
Black Onyx
